Plymouth State Mens Skiers finish fifth at Nationals in GS

WINTER PARK, Colo. - Sophomore Peter
Ostroski (Intervale, N.H./Kennett) earned his fourth
career All-America honor Thursday to lead Plymouth State
University's performance in the men's alpine giant slalom at the
United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association's National
Championships at Winter Park Resort.

The Panther men placed fifth as a team among the 20 competing
schools, with two PSU skiers finishing in the top 15 among the 109
competitors. Perennial power Sierra Nevada College won the
team championship with the fastest combined time of its top three
finishers, less than a second faster the runner-up Westminster
College and third-place team and PSU's regular season rival
Colby-Sawyer College. Rocky Mountain College was fourth, just
ahead of the Panthers.

Ostrowski (right) placed sixth overall in the combined
time of two GS runs (1:58.95), duplicating his place at last year's
national championships when he earned his first All-America
honor. He was in sixth place after one run and held his spot
in the afternoon session. Ostroski was the second finisher
among Eastern skiers, behind Travis Plass of Colby-Sawyer College,
who placed third.

Senior
Brad Deitch (New City, N.Y.) (left) made
the most of his first appearance for PSU at the nationals, earning
Second Team All-America honors with a 14th-place
finish. He was tied for 18th in the morning heat
and came back with the seventh-fastest time in the afternoon
run. PSU's third finisher was sophomore Willie
Colt (Hanover, N.H.), who came in 28th.

The Plymouth State performance was the second top-five national
finish for the school in two days, as the PSU women placed fourth
in the women's giant slalom on Wednesday. The championships
continue with the women's and men's slalom races on Friday and
Saturday, respectively, with the combined alpine standings also
determined after the slalom events.